Nov 3, 2010

Jay-Z spoke to BBC Newsbeat earlier in the week. As well as discussing his forthcoming book ‘Decoded’ and his greatest hits album, Jay also revealed he may run for US presidency but that people will have to wait eight years before he takes up the role. [via Punchbowl Blog]

Oct 16, 2010

Jay-Z’s The Hits Collection — Volume 1 will be released on November 23rd! The album will be available as a regular CD and on vinyl, as well as a Deluxe Edition Package ($20) and a Collector’s Edition Box set ($60). The “Deluxe” version will be a two-disc set that will include five never-released tracks and a 32-page mini book debossed with Jay-Z’s signature “diamond.” The Collector’s Edition will come in a hardcover box containing two-disc set with five never-released songs and a 100-page coffee table book filled with never-before-seen photographs of Jay-Z and friends.

Sep 24, 2010

Sep 23, 2010

The main event was an hourlong, videotaped talk at Buffett's office building. (What you read here comes from that session.) But first there was lunch. The early crowd at the Hollywood Diner ("Where the customer is the star") was unmoved by Buffett, a fixture with his usual order of chicken-fried steak with extra mashed potatoes. When Jay-Z strode in, well over 6 feet tall in a tailored blue suit, blue tie, white shirt, blue pocket square and black loafers, you could hear whispers buzz around. He slid into Buffett's round booth, across from Steve Forbes. Watching over them was a plastic statue of Elvis Presley, whom this year Jay-Z eclipsed in having the most number-one albums sold by a recording artist. (He's also one of 15 we're picking to make the 400 in 2015.)

Neither Jay-Z nor Buffett would admit to being nervous. It was their behavior that gave them away. Jay-Z the wordsmith said little at first but stared at Buffett intently, taking in every word. He ordered what Buffett ordered: a strawberry malt, thin. He barely touched it. Buffett never stopped talking, telling childhood stories about stealing syrup from nickel Coke machines and peeling off zingers. "When you see me reach for the check," he told the photographer, "you'll know I'm posing." They warmed up quickly and were soon laughing every minute or so. As they left Jay-Z headed over toward his Escalade. Warren called him back, "I'll give you a lift. Sit up in the front with me. My rates are very competitive."

Sep 9, 2010

Aug 29, 2010

"Jay along with a host of others celebs (Beyonce, Mary, Alicia Keys, Chris Rock) made an appearance at Rock The Bells yesterday to watch Ms. Lauryn Hill perform. Check out the video and pictures below.

Jun 9, 2010

In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, contributing editor Mark Binelli goes one-on-one with the New York legend, watching Jay-Z try on a new suit in his sprawling Manhattan office and tagging along to the Four Seasons, where the rapper goofs by mispronouncing actor Kelsey Grammer's name at a watch auction (after calling the Frasier star "Chelsea," he asks Binelli how to spell "faux pas"). It seems the man who made his name rhyming about hustling and hos in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects is actually more comfortable around an unlikely new crowd: indie rockers. "I love the energy coming out indie rock right now," he says, name-checking Grizzly Bear. "It has this rebellion thing that hip-hop is missing now, the thing that made hip-hop hip-hop."

While Jay is notoriously private about his life with wife Beyoncé, Binelli gets the rapper to let down his guard, and Jay reveals his superstar better half vetoed a piece of artwork he'd bought for their 8,000-square-foot Tribeca penthouse. The black-and-white Laurie Simmons photograph in question depicted "a noirishly lit pistol with a pair of women's legs emerging from the handle… Beyoncé sent it back and had it replaced with a similar Simmons piece, only depicting a perfume bottle instead of a gun." Binelli also encourages Jay to open up about his biggest challenges as president of Def Jam (the most frustrating meeting? "Honestly? All of them") and his one and only experience in therapy, when as Binelli writes, "The psychiatrist gave him tea that made him sleepy and asked him questions like, 'Who are your best friends?' "

Find out why Jay isn't trying to lure pal LeBron James to the Nets and why he thinks many rappers have failed to age gracefully in our new issue, on sale at newsstands now.

May 18, 2010

The most expensive watch, “Las Vegas Strip Tourbillon,” was signed by Jay-Z, a Tony-nominated producer of “Fela!” It has a blackened-steel case with red numbers. The chronograph is made in an edition of 35 and is valued at $217,800. Charity Buzz *thx to cheleny

May 12, 2010

Superstar rappers Eminem and Jay-Z will play a Comerica Park show in September [2nd], the Free Press has learned.

The late-summer blockbuster is part of a two-show stand that will include a date at New York's Yankee Stadium [September 13] -- a home-and-home series for Detroit's Eminem and New York's Jay-Z. The two announced the dates during the third inning of the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankess game tonight in Detroit on ESPN. Check out the videos (via RapRadar) posted below. Ticket on-sale June 12. Read More

May 8, 2010

Jay killed it tonight with a medley of hits, during his first performance, followed by a short performance of 'Young Forever' with Mr. Hudson. No skits, but the mini concert made up for that. ;) Watch the videos below. ~Off to bed!

Apr 23, 2010

Beyonce Knowles stuck with a one piece instead of a bikini, but still showed off her amazing curves yesterday afternoon when she hit the beach in Hawaii. She and Jay-Z headed West earlier in the week for a family vacation with her nephew Julez, after a fun and music-filled weekend together at Coachella. Jay-Z was in a pair of appropriately floral swim trunks to document their day by the water, and he was there to snap photos as Beyonce let Julez bury her in the sand. [PopSugar]